Camberwell Removals Health and Safety Policy

Camberwell Removals is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, contractors, customers and members of the public affected by our removal and relocation services. We recognise that professional moving work involves physical handling, driving, loading and unloading, all of which must be managed carefully to prevent accidents, injuries and damage to property.

This Health and Safety Policy outlines our approach to managing health and safety risks in all aspects of our removal operations and supports continuous improvement in our safety performance.

Policy Aims and Commitment

Our aims are to prevent injury and ill health, comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and recognised industry standards, and promote a positive safety culture throughout Camberwell Removals. Senior management accepts overall responsibility for health and safety and ensures that adequate resources, information and training are provided so that this policy can be effectively implemented.

We also expect all employees and contractors working on behalf of Camberwell Removals to take reasonable care of their own safety and that of others, and to cooperate fully with the measures set out in this policy.

Roles and Responsibilities

The management team is responsible for:

Ensuring that this policy is regularly reviewed and updated to reflect changes in legislation, industry practice and company operations. Identifying significant risks associated with removal work and implementing appropriate control measures. Providing safe equipment, vehicles and work systems, and ensuring that they are inspected and maintained. Ensuring that employees are trained, competent and supervised for the tasks they undertake. Investigating accidents, incidents and near misses, and implementing corrective actions.

Supervisors and team leaders are responsible for:

Communicating relevant safety information to staff. Monitoring working practices on site and intervening where unsafe behaviour or conditions are observed. Ensuring that risk assessments and safe systems of work are followed on each job. Reporting hazards and incidents promptly to management.

Employees and contractors are responsible for:

Following all safety instructions, procedures and training provided. Using equipment and vehicles correctly and reporting defects immediately. Wearing appropriate personal protective equipment when required. Reporting hazards, near misses, accidents and unsafe conditions without delay. Taking care of their own health and safety and that of colleagues, customers and members of the public.

Risk Assessment and Safe Systems of Work

Camberwell Removals carries out risk assessments for all key aspects of our work, including manual handling, loading and unloading vehicles, driving, working at height where required, and operating in both domestic and commercial premises.

Risk assessments identify potential hazards, the people who may be affected and the steps needed to minimise risk. From these assessments, we develop safe systems of work and method statements that are communicated to our teams before work begins. Where specific risks arise on a job, site-specific assessments are conducted and controls implemented accordingly.

Manual Handling and Use of Equipment

Manual handling is a core part of our removal activities. To reduce the risk of strains, sprains and other injuries, we ensure that:

Staff receive manual handling training that covers safe lifting techniques, team lifting, pushing and pulling, and the use of handling aids. Heavy or awkward items are moved using suitable equipment, such as trolleys, dollies, barrows and lifting straps, wherever practicable. Work is planned to avoid unnecessary carrying, including positioning vehicles as close as safely possible to loading and unloading points. Employees are encouraged to assess each lift and request assistance or equipment when an item is too heavy or awkward to handle alone.

All handling equipment is inspected regularly for defects and removed from service if found to be unsafe.

Vehicle Safety and Driving Standards

Our vehicles are maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition through regular inspections and servicing. Drivers are required to conduct daily checks before use and report any issues immediately. Loads are distributed and secured properly to prevent movement, instability or damage in transit.

Drivers must comply with traffic laws, speed limits, parking restrictions and company guidelines for safe driving. Journey planning takes account of realistic timings, rest breaks and road conditions to reduce fatigue and stress. The use of mobile phones or other distractions while driving is prohibited, other than lawful hands-free systems used safely.

Protecting Customers, Premises and the Public

When working at customer premises or commercial sites, our teams take steps to prevent harm to residents, staff, visitors and members of the public. This includes maintaining clear walkways, using warning signs where appropriate, protecting floors and surfaces, and handling customer property with care.

We endeavour to minimise disruption, noise and obstruction around our vehicles and work areas, especially on busy streets and shared access routes. Where necessary, we work with customers to agree safe access arrangements, timing of work and any special requirements for their premises.

Training, Information and Consultation

All new employees receive an induction that covers the main health and safety requirements relevant to our removal operations. Ongoing training is provided for manual handling, equipment use, vehicle safety, emergency procedures and any specific risks associated with specialist services.

Employees are kept informed about changes in procedures, equipment or legislation that may affect health and safety. Camberwell Removals encourages open communication, and staff are invited to raise safety concerns and suggestions for improvement without fear of reprisal.

Accidents, Incidents and Emergency Procedures

All accidents, incidents and near misses must be reported to management as soon as possible. Records are kept, and where appropriate, investigations are carried out to determine causes and to identify measures to prevent recurrence.

Emergency procedures, including fire evacuation, first aid and dealing with spills or breakages, are established and communicated to all staff. First aid equipment is provided in vehicles and at our premises, and designated staff receive appropriate first aid training.

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

We regularly monitor our health and safety performance through inspections, audits, feedback from staff and customers, and analysis of incident data. This information is used to review the effectiveness of this policy and our procedures and to identify opportunities for improvement.

This Health and Safety Policy is reviewed periodically and whenever significant changes occur in our operations or in relevant legislation or guidance. Updated versions are communicated to all employees and are made available to customers on request.

Through consistent application of this policy, Camberwell Removals aims to deliver safe, reliable and professional removal services while protecting the wellbeing of everyone involved in or affected by our work.